Serious DiscussionsFor all serious discussions.Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:44:38 +0000Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:44:38 +0000Japan Forumhttps://www.jref.com/forum/serious-discussions.188/
(Please need advice) NAVY YOKOSUKAWed, 06 Dec 2017 06:21:05 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/please-need-advice-navy-yokosuka.62670/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/please-need-advice-navy-yokosuka.62670/invalid@example.com (Amourdemavie)Amourdemavie(Please need advice) NAVY YOKOSUKA]]>11Why didn't the Japanese adopt a fully phonetic alphabet system?Tue, 05 Dec 2017 11:57:14 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/why-didnt-the-japanese-adopt-a-fully-phonetic-alphabet-system.62169/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/why-didnt-the-japanese-adopt-a-fully-phonetic-alphabet-system.62169/invalid@example.com (Shahar1992)Shahar1992
They already had Hiragana and Katakana, so all they had to do was use Hiragana for all words not just for grammar.
If I am not mistaken from reading about Japanese history there was a Japanese guy who called for that, why was it shot down?.
It would have made Japanese the easiest Asian language to learn as it is much easier to pronounce than Korean or Vietnamese and of course much easier than Chinese....

And of course it plays no part in why any foreigner might move to Japan... I've never heard them express contempt towards their home countries, their home people, their home politics, their home culture, their home women, and so on...

I've recently returned from 6 months abroad teaching English in Osaka. I had a great time, but my next destination is going to be China.

Does anybody here have experience with the differences between teaching in Japan versus elsewhere in Asia? My primary reason for going to China is just that there are more, higher paying teaching jobs there. But I'm otherwise quite ignorant on how it might be different from Japan.

Interested to hear what you guys think about other countries...

Teaching in Japan vs. China (and some questions about JP schools)]]>3White privilege in Japan?Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:23:41 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/white-privilege-in-japan.51974/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/white-privilege-in-japan.51974/invalid@example.com (nahadef)nahadef
The notion of white privilege comes up from time to time, and I mostly agree with it. I think it's fair to say that white people have an advantage in North America/Europe. I don't want to get into why, but I just want to say that I agree with the concept... THIS THREAD ISN'T ABOUT THAT.

At one point, I responded to someone...

White privilege in Japan?]]>56Why do the Japanese take their shoes off at the entrance to the home?Fri, 15 Sep 2017 12:53:04 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/why-do-the-japanese-take-their-shoes-off-at-the-entrance-to-the-home.62232/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/why-do-the-japanese-take-their-shoes-off-at-the-entrance-to-the-home.62232/invalid@example.com (Shahar1992)Shahar1992
What is the reason for it?.
Is it a religious thing or superstitious or simply out of hygenic concerns.]]>9I am in quest of Adoptive Parent(s).Wed, 06 Sep 2017 11:54:58 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/i-am-in-quest-of-adoptive-parent-s.62270/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/i-am-in-quest-of-adoptive-parent-s.62270/invalid@example.com (Makayla)Makayla2Being a foreign Doctor in JapanFri, 01 Sep 2017 09:46:57 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/being-a-foreign-doctor-in-japan.62150/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/being-a-foreign-doctor-in-japan.62150/invalid@example.com (1jsd)1jsd
So let's say that I want to live in Japan after I get my degree in Neurology and get a few years worth of experience at home in the US (not sure how much is best specifically) and that I've spent enough time to become fluent enough to speak, read, and understand Japanese. What would I need to do in order to find...

Being a foreign Doctor in Japan]]>21Is it fair to say that most Japanese are atheists?Thu, 31 Aug 2017 08:55:41 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/is-it-fair-to-say-that-most-japanese-are-atheists.62195/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/is-it-fair-to-say-that-most-japanese-are-atheists.62195/invalid@example.com (Shahar1992)Shahar1992
This is in contrast to for example my native Israel, where Judaism is very strong and there are many religious people.
And this is true for many other countries as well.

I mean the way I see it, the Japanese don't view Shintoism as a...

Is it fair to say that most Japanese are atheists?]]>19A father with a half-Japanese sonWed, 30 Aug 2017 02:52:21 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/a-father-with-a-half-japanese-son.62189/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/a-father-with-a-half-japanese-son.62189/invalid@example.com (Sasadango)Sasadango
I am a foreigner with a Japanese son (half). I am planning to go to Japan and raise my child there (yes, it sounds ambitious).
Our situation: My son is currently 2 & a few months old. He is already starting to speak some Nihongo. My wife is Japanese and she always speaks to my son in Nihongo. For some reasons, my wife may live separately from us (me and my son). I want to continue bringing up my child in a Japanese environment and grow into an adult in Japan. My son doesn't have a...

A father with a half-Japanese son]]>3What would you change in Japan?.Sun, 27 Aug 2017 12:47:51 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/what-would-you-change-in-japan.62177/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/what-would-you-change-in-japan.62177/invalid@example.com (Shahar1992)Shahar1992
This is what I would change :
Language :
1 ) I would abolish all forms of "Aizuchi" .
One person is speaking the other listens until he finishes and then he speaks.
Same for the particle "ne" which is overused.
2 ) I would abolish Kanji as it is outdated.
Only Kana will be used with spaces between words....

What would you change in Japan?.]]>18Clarifying Japan:The good and the badMon, 07 Aug 2017 12:32:05 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/clarifying-japan-the-good-and-the-bad.62039/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/clarifying-japan-the-good-and-the-bad.62039/invalid@example.com (Malik00)Malik00
From what i can piece together the way japanese society is run is...to put it simply almost like a hive mind.
Narrowing it down to 3 basic tenets
1:Obey Authority no matter how absurd the request
2: Do not stand out
3: Do not...

When I first saw the story I thought it must be that the passenger was transporting the lobster illegally and got busted.

No.....turns out it is perfectly fine to have a live lobster in checked baggage. The TSA just felt it was okay to remove a traveler's personal property from...

No Wonder Everybody Hates Them...]]>72018 JET ProgrammeFri, 07 Jul 2017 09:45:05 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/2018-jet-programme.61868/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/2018-jet-programme.61868/invalid@example.com (Amylg05)Amylg05
I was just wondering if there is anybody here who will be applying for the 2018 JET? I am going to be applying and thought it would be nice to meet others who are also going to be applying.

As well as this, are there any current or former JET applicants here? If there are, any tips on how to improve my application and any advice you think is useful, would be really very much appreciated! I want to do everything I can to improve my chances ^-^

Thank you ]]>3Studying english and japanese in a japanese university, it's possible?Tue, 04 Jul 2017 19:52:22 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/studying-english-and-japanese-in-a-japanese-university-its-possible.61859/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/studying-english-and-japanese-in-a-japanese-university-its-possible.61859/invalid@example.com (Rara1315)Rara1315
Before to post my question i would like to explain my situation.
I'm from Italy, my parents are chinese(so no english/japanese native) and i'm actually studying japanese in language school. It's almost one year that i'm studying japanese but my level is quite low. I really want to learn this languange and also english that i'm still very bad. So... I would like to matriculate in an university next year and i'm thinking about to study japanese and english. Is this
feasible?]]>Will my mixed-race son be bullied in Japan?Sun, 25 Jun 2017 16:16:42 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/will-my-mixed-race-son-be-bullied-in-japan.61724/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/will-my-mixed-race-son-be-bullied-in-japan.61724/invalid@example.com (Bop)BopWill my mixed-race son be bullied in Japan?]]>13Seeking Help People from Kurashiki - OkayamaSun, 25 Jun 2017 14:07:39 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/seeking-help-people-from-kurashiki-okayama.61787/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/seeking-help-people-from-kurashiki-okayama.61787/invalid@example.com (Neko 2489)Neko 2489
The story goes this :

They both know each other since last year Oct , they both hit off very fast and they start to communicate almost everyday. And my friend she also save up her money just to travel all the way to Osaka to meet him in Kyoto. They both were happily spending time together. However, when shes back she felt insecure when hes not with her suddenly...

The country I escaped ranks #114.]]>2How do you control the cost and environmental impact associated with your waste stream?Thu, 25 May 2017 16:56:57 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/how-do-you-control-the-cost-and-environmental-impact-associated-with-your-waste-stream.61521/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/how-do-you-control-the-cost-and-environmental-impact-associated-with-your-waste-stream.61521/invalid@example.com (liftedblocks)liftedblocks8Hafu and dual nationalitySat, 13 May 2017 10:01:03 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/hafu-and-dual-nationality.61555/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/hafu-and-dual-nationality.61555/invalid@example.com (SooMihawa)SooMihawa
So, I have a few questions:
1. How people have decided which passport...

Hafu and dual nationality]]>15Widow and RemarriageSat, 13 May 2017 03:01:09 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/widow-and-remarriage.60962/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/widow-and-remarriage.60962/invalid@example.com (Moskevyu)Moskevyu
I am having a tough time finding information on this topic, so I am posting here.

I am curious about remarriage for a widow. I am presently working on a story about a widow who marries a Japanese national and a traditionalist. She is a 2nd generation Japanese American and a former Christian, but not converted to Buddhism or Shinto. Both are in their early 40's and they met hile he was in the US. He brings her to Japan to marry at his home temple. He is previously...

Widow and Remarriage]]>8Is it a good idea to get a DNA test for my toddler?Thu, 11 May 2017 08:33:51 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/is-it-a-good-idea-to-get-a-dna-test-for-my-toddler.61016/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/is-it-a-good-idea-to-get-a-dna-test-for-my-toddler.61016/invalid@example.com (yellow)yellow
Secretly without telling your partner. Not that I don't trust her just thought why shouldn't man have that 100% certainty like a woman. Obviously a woman would finish with you if she found out as it's a lack of trust and an insult to her.

In order to convince the public that nuclear power is safe, a politically correct version of half-life was created by the USA government (politicians and the military for money and fear). So, that they could create weapons grade radioactive material in massive amounts. Many nuclear weapons have been made and used,...

The truth of radioactive half-life and it's horrific]]>3Does Japanese Really Need Kanji?Sun, 19 Mar 2017 14:37:30 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/does-japanese-really-need-kanji.52674/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/does-japanese-really-need-kanji.52674/invalid@example.com (Lestat84)Lestat84really need kanji? Isn't it good enough to just stick with the kana and Institute spaces or something? I do understand the cultural implications of kanji, but Korea did it when they removed the hanja system from their education. It just makes sense to me that Japan might do this too. Or do Japanese people like the kanji...

Does Japanese Really Need Kanji?]]>158A WWII Anniversary Americans Would Rather ForgetFri, 10 Mar 2017 09:24:01 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/a-wwii-anniversary-americans-would-rather-forget.61069/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/a-wwii-anniversary-americans-would-rather-forget.61069/invalid@example.com (Mike Cash)Mike CashThe internment of Japanese-Americans | Reuters.com]]>33Battle between Japan and North Korea for chinese throneFri, 24 Feb 2017 23:13:12 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/battle-between-japan-and-north-korea-for-chinese-throne.61121/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/battle-between-japan-and-north-korea-for-chinese-throne.61121/invalid@example.com (kurihara)kuriharaJin Youzhi
Chinese throne is free! And now two dynasty, which can pretend to chinese throne - japanese dynasty and emperor Akihito and new korean dynasty and North Korean Ruler Kim Jong-un

]]>Sweden immigration conflict ongoingWed, 01 Feb 2017 08:39:47 +0000https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/sweden-immigration-conflict-ongoing.60967/
https://www.jref.com/forum/threads/sweden-immigration-conflict-ongoing.60967/invalid@example.com (Christianfellow)Christianfellow
I live in Sweden in a suburb. In Swedish suburbs we have many immigrants from the Middle east. They are not abiding by the Swedish laws but behave like revolutionaires. They are dangerous to christians living in the suburbs.

Learn more on this video :

The title of the video sounds too pessimistic. But the video is true, I know because I live here. When it comes to the scenes by the sea... there swedish people live in peace. Its very different in the...